as in scams
an instance of the use of dishonest methods to acquire something of value
the explanation was so plausible that I never suspected it was all a con to make off with my car
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in studies
to commit to memory
usually candidates con their entire campaign speech, right down to the jokes they supposedly ad-lib
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in reviews
to look over closely (as for judging quality or condition)
seemed to be conning his face for any sign of uncertainty
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in hustles
to rob by the use of trickery or threats
a fly-by-night operator who had conned hundreds of would-be homeowners out of their hard-earned money
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in tricks
to cause to believe what is untrue
tried to con me into thinking that he had actually won the lottery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cons
Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Determining whether and when to start HRT requires weighing the pros and cons for you.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Dryer balls don't have many cons.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Thirty years ago, parents everywhere were compelled to weigh the pros and cons of allowing their kids to see Titanic.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
And when investigators received a bizarre phone call about Cliff’s property being sold, a 10-year saga riddled with conspiracy, cons, and lies began.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
On that note, the growth of artificial intelligence tools — the pros, the cons and the unknowns — are certain to be a theme of Mipcom.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Starting with the cons, Kelis had some things to say about the infrastructure of the country, sharing her thoughts in a video.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
Across Europe, soccer players are routinely groomed into gambling accomplices by cons who follow a relatively consistent playbook.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Determining whether and when to start HRT requires weighing the pros and cons for you.
—Erica Sloan, SELF, 24 Oct. 2025
Dryer balls don't have many cons.
—Lauren David, Southern Living, 22 Oct. 2025
Thirty years ago, parents everywhere were compelled to weigh the pros and cons of allowing their kids to see Titanic.
—Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 17 Oct. 2025
And when investigators received a bizarre phone call about Cliff’s property being sold, a 10-year saga riddled with conspiracy, cons, and lies began.
—Dateline Nbc, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025
On that note, the growth of artificial intelligence tools — the pros, the cons and the unknowns — are certain to be a theme of Mipcom.
—Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 10 Oct. 2025
Starting with the cons, Kelis had some things to say about the infrastructure of the country, sharing her thoughts in a video.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cons.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cons. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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